PSA’s Top Auction Prices Realized in 2018

With a big assist coming from the late, great Mickey Mantle, Professional Sports Authenticator (www.PSAcard.com) is happy to report that it once again certified tens of thousands of sports cards and autographs in 2018 including 10 of the most valuable sports collectibles sold at auction last year. With a combined value of $8.4 million, last year’s compilation of 10 high-priced, PSA-certified items is somewhat top heavy in vintage cardboard as four of Mantle’s iconic 1952 Topps #311 issue made the list. Mantle, the New York Yankees Hall of Fame slugger, seems to have surpassed the hobby’s longtime granddaddy – the coveted 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card – in terms of recent popularity.

The $2.88million record sale of a 1952 Topps Mantle #311 (graded PSA Mint 9) last April triggered a wave of high-grade ’52 Mantles entering the auction circuit and selling for sky-high prices. Two other top-selling items that were authenticated and/or graded by PSA and/or PSA/DNA, its autograph authentication division, during the past year included Babe Ruth’s 1927 game used and signed record 60th home run bat ($660,000), and a baseball signed by all 11 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 1939 inaugural class during that year’s opening ceremony in Cooperstown, New York ($623,369).

Posted by Terry Melia

Terry Melia is a hobby veteran who has served in various PR and marketing roles for industry movers and shakers including The Upper Deck Company and SCP Auctions and is currently working as PSA's Public Relations Specialist.